Eastside (Hawaii) saw its undefeated run in the Cal Ripken World Series come to an end on Saturday as Southeastern Lexington (Ky.) defeated the team from Oahu 10-0 in four innings to claim the United States championship in Aberdeen, Md.
Eastside, the Pacific Southwest regional champion, couldn’t muster any runs against Kentucky’s Austin Dick, who gave up six hits but was tough when it mattered most.
Eastside left seven runners on base in the first three innings.
"We didn’t hit today like we have hit all tournament long, but the kids enjoyed themselves every day," Eastside coach Charles McNicoll said. "We were doing well up to today, but we told the kids there’s nothing bad about this experience. We made it all the way to the USA championship in the Cal Ripken."
The game was called after four innings due to the mercy rule. Lexington advances to play Japan in the world final today at 8 a.m.
Eastside loaded the bases in the top of the second inning, but Blaine DeMello’s long fly ball was caught just a few feet short of the wall for what nearly was a grand slam.
Ryne Yamashiro capped an outstanding tournament as the only Eastside player with multiple hits, singling and doubling in his two at-bats. Yamashiro hit .750 (12-for-16) with six doubles and two homers in six games. Eastside finished 5-1 and had outscored opponents 47-13 heading into Saturday’s final.
"We had our opportunities but didn’t capitalize on them like we normally do," McNicoll said.
Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi, Nicholas Benner, Trevin Tengan and Robert Phelps had Eastside’s other four hits.
Eastside is the fourth team from Hawaii to reach the U.S. title game and first since Hilo won it in 2006. It had won 15 straight games before losing on Saturday.
"We never expected to get this far," McNicoll said.
The team is expected to land at Honolulu Airport between 3:30 and 4 p.m. on Monday.
